scrivener

name

1. A surname.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English scryvener, alteration of scryveyn, from Anglo-Norman scrivein (“professional penman, copyist”), from Old French escrivain, from Vulgar Latin *scriba, *scribanem, from Latin scriba, from scrībō (“to write”).

1. A professional writer; one whose occupation is to draw contracts or prepare writings.

   “Scrivener (enters with a paper in hand):Here is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings, Which in a set hand fairly is engrossed That is may be today read o'er in Paul's. And mark how well the sequel hangs together: Eleven hours I have spent to write it over[…]”

   “The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.”

2. One whose business is to place money at interest; a broker.